commands and Finances. LE BARON DE BRETEUIL. The chief improvements in musical instruments due to the Erards are, the double action of the harp and the double escapement of the piano. Sébastien Erard imagined the improvements, and his brother, Jean Baptiste, and his nephew, Pierre, brought them to practical perfection. Mr. Erard of conforming himself to the regu- Organs have occupied the talents of the lations and ordinances concerning the discipline Erards, as well as harps and pianos. Sébas of journeymen and workmen, and of not admitting into his workshops any but those who tien Erard applied to the organ his system of shall have satisfied the aforesaid regulations. expression by the fingers. An organ which And for assurance of his will, his majesty has he had constructed in the chapel of the Tuiler commanded me to expedite to the aforesaid Mr. ies was destroyed by the insurgents of July, Erard the present brevet, which he has chosen 1830. Luckily, the whole of the mechanism to sign with his own hand, and to be countersigned by me, Secretary of State, and of his of the expression had been preserved in the factory. Pierre Erard was authorized by the present Emperor to construct another organ in the Imperial chapel; an order which he promptly executed. The new instrument is admired as a chef d'oeuvre of mechanical art. The financial career of the Erards was chequered. The political events in France to. wards the end of the first empire had an evil influence upon commerce, and the Paris branch of the house was forced to suspend The double action made the harp a com- payments in 1813, overwhelmed by a debt of plete instrument, on which inharmonically more than one million three hundred thoumodulated music could be played. Sébastien sand francs, or fifty-two thousand pounds. Erard had been induced to turn his attention The establishment was not, however, totally to the improvement of the harp by Krum- crippled; for, aided by the prosperity of the pholtz, a celebrated harpist of Paris. After London house, the firm paid off this debt in he had been working for a year, Beaumar- ten years. chais, author of the Barber of Seville, who was at once an author, a politician, a musician, and a mechanician, on examining his plans, told him frankly that, as they were impracticable, he would do well to abandon them. Erard did not heed his advice, and was on the point of obtaining success when Krumpholtz connected his interests with a maker of harps upon the old models. Erard felt that success was impossible in Paris if he encountered the opposition of the harpists with Krumpholtz at their head, and left for London. There he continued his experiments, finished his improvements, and established a house. The double action cost him twelve years of anxious toil; and, although he took out his first patent in 1801, he did not complete his invention until 1811. His immediate pecuniary success was extraordinary. He sold £25,000 worth of the new harps in London alone in the first year. T C The history of the fortunes of the Erards is picturesquely connected with the beautiful Château de la Muette, at Passy, near Paris, a château which may be seen from the end of the lake recently made in the Bois de Boulogne. When Sébastien Erard was a young man, newly arrived in Paris, he waited one & Sunday at the gate of the château to see the Queen Marie Antoinette, who resided in it, pl dr come out in her carriage. Sébastien, who was in the midst of the crowd when she passed, cried "Vive la Reine!" with a powerful voice and an Alsacian accent. The Queen FL remarked the fine young man, whom she mistook for one of her own countrymen. spoke to him, and asked him of what country he was? He replied, "I am French at heart Do by my birth, as your majesty is by your marriage.' The double escapement of the piano was not made public until 1823. The wonders achieved on the piano by such performers as Lizt and Thalberg are due to the scope given to their perseverance and genius by mechanism which makes the instrument capable of expressing the sweetest, the most powerful, and the most varied sounds, and the most delicate repetitions. She CO est att Cot the to The queen ordered the Swiss guards at the gate to allow him to walk over the garden and see the grounds. Sébastien went in, and spent the day in admiring the magnifi- The cent alleys and fairy-like walks of the park. A few years later Sébastien Erard constructed a piano for Marie Antoinette, which combined several remarkable inventions, to adapt the instrument to the limited resources of her voice. About half a century after the Sunday on which the Queen of France permitted sto است the young clavichord-maker to walk over the gardens, the Château de la Muette was for sale, and in 1823 Sébastien Erard was the purchaser, and installed himself in it with his family. He took a great pleasure in repeating the story of his first interview with Marie Antoinette. Jean Baptiste Erard died in 1826. He had been extremely useful to his brother in superintending the execution of his designs and inventions. In 1831, Sébastien died. bered. He attended to the execution of the During the period in which the man of genius The Erards have wisely stood by their own of the family was at the head of it, uncon-order. When Jean Baptiste might have obEtrolled and unassisted, the details of execution tained, by means of her fortune, a husband it were neglected, the financial aspect of the for his daughter from among the nobility of business was lost sight of, and the instru- France, he referred Spontini, the composer, iments of the Erards lost somewhat of their who could sympathise with the just pride and repute. Pierre Erard, born in 1794, was left feel the inventive and industrial merits of the sole executor of his uncle; and, when the in- Erards. Their family is now extinct and a ventory of the state of the affairs was sub-century elapsing from 1752 to 1855 rounds mitted to a London attorney, Pierre was ad- the story from the cradles of the orphans of vised to renounce the succession. He had, the poor cabinet-maker of Strasbourg to the however, more confidence in the capabilities hearse of the wealthy tradesman which diof the business; and continued it with such vided the attention of the Parisians with the success that in a few years he extinguished equipage of Queen Victoria. the enormous debt with which it was encum THE BIRTHPLACE OF WILLIAM COBBETT. and who sat for Oldham in the first reformed Those of your correspondents who admire "pure parliament, died at his farm called Nutwood, in Saxon and short sentences," will forgive me for the adjoining parish of Ash, in 1835. Assuredsaying a few words respecting the humble birth-ly that modest grave has closed over a thorough place of William Cobbett, than whom no one Englishman, be his faults what they may.drew more largely from the "well of English Notes and Queries. undefiled." In the little town of Farnham, in Surrey, stands a roadside inn, with the sign of the " Jolly FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE. The 2thake may Farmer." It is without beauty, it is hardly be perfectly cured without pain by the French countrified; nevertheless it possesses great inter-specific.- Mercury. est for the tourist; for here it was that Cobbett We wonder if the specific is hard 2 take if was born, in 1762. On the sign-post appear his not we will try it 4thwith. Ex. name, and the dates of his birth and death. If cured it will be a 1der, indeed. Trans. Doubtless the landlord finds this notice far more 10derly, gentlemen, 'tis a sore subject. — Led attractive than the ordinary "neat wines, good ger. In the par entertainment for man and beast." "This cupboard was the property of the late William Cobbett, Esqr., M. P. for Oldham. He was born 1762. His great light was extinguished 1835." The good people of Farnham are justly proud of their late fellow-townsman. They are delighted to show his birthplace, and to descant on the great powers of mind which distinguished him. Cobbett lies buried in the churchyard of his native town. Close by the church-door a plain Yes, and requiring 40tude to bear. Amer. Cour. This is carrying the matter quite as far as 80quette will bear.- Mail. W8 for us, neighbor, it has th100 out of a cloudless 7 be4 now. Ex. We wish it had knocked the k9 species out of existence in passing. Age. You are far too cruel, and should be more b9. - Amer. Courier. Those who are so 4-2n8 as to do the above, will stone sets forth, that William Cobbett, one time find each paragraph to contain a slight 11 of hua sergeant-major in the king's army, who subse-mor.-N. Y. Globe. quently obtained great fame as a political writer, 5.4 shame, gentlemen — 5.4 shame! The Abomination of Desolation, &c. Nisbet & Co., London. events From The Morning Chronicle. ive conversion, together with that of the Mahomedans, &c., to Christianity, in the course of the next 150 years, will, it is contended, be now ushered in; which will complete the exact period of 2000 years from Christ, to the time when the heavenly principles of Christanity shall have been universally diffused. THIS work is a short but very carefully written analysis of the alleged scriptural intimations respecting the present epoch; it is from the pen of a Cambridge Layman, and gives a different version from the common one of the desolation alluded to by Christ, as It is not our province to decide whether spoken of by Daniel (Matt. xxiv. 15), viz., these things are so or not-and it seems a that the abomination or tribulation there bold effort of the writer to attempt to point referred to cannot possibly relate to the de-out what is to happen; we may, however, struction of Jerusalem by the Romans, al- observe that there are no fanciful theories in though that catastrophe has been usually the work, the writer resting his claim to atregarded as the accomplishment of the prophecy in question; for that there is such a marked distinction in the terms made use of by the Evangelist as to imply two separate the leaving the house of the Jews desolate, and an after-abomination of desolation; the prophetic dates, given very definitively by Daniel, being entirely opposed to the usual version of the passage in question. It is further argued, both from scriptural and chronological facts, that the unprecedented tribulations of the present epoch are frequently and distinctly foreshadowed as the commencement of that desolation which the sacred penmen really had in view; and that it is now the purpose of Providence to humble and correct civilized Europe and Asia for their long-continued sins against the natural and revealed lights vouchsafed to them lights which, duly made use of, would, by the hard but necessary application of that chastisement now in course of infliction, have effectually changed the iron rule of religious intolerance and civil despotism into the easy yoke of Christian love and civil freedom. tention solely on his having followed the identical language of Scripture, and on such events, past and realized, as are supposed to correspond therewith. The doom of the Papacy and of the Mahomedan creed are indeed broadly affirmed. Class readers, however, in general, are not excluded; nor does the work seem meant for any particular sect, for the references quoted are simply divested of their spiritual and figurative coloring, leaving the reader to judge for himself how far the construction given is borne out by the reference. We quote the following (p. 6): The writer also shows that, although the despotic nations will in this manner be severely punished, the foreshadowed desolation will nevertheless fall, as seems but meet, on the perverted creed and unchristian practice of the Papacy, against which even a heavier doom is denounced than against the Mahomedan or false Prophet; inasmuch as that when the predicted bridge over the outlets of the Nile (Isaiah ix. 15) shall have been completed, the earthquake coupled with such prediction, and very pointedly mentioned in various other parts of Scripture, will occur in Italy, and will be of so terrible and desolating a character" as was not since men were upon the earth "— even greater " than that which occurred of old in the district of the Dead Sea, whose waters are said to flow over the city or cities which were then engulfed. 66 The commencement of the gathering together again of the Jews, and their progress "In the Old Testament reference will be made only to Isaiah, Daniel, Zephaniah, and Zechariah; and in the New, to the four Gospels, and the Book of Revelation, which latter, it may be observed, bears conclusive internal evidence of divine inspiration, and of which, therefore, referring as it does mainly to the impure Church of Rome, and its downfall, a somewhat more enlarged analysis than would otherwise have been needful is given; for, although it seems generally allowed that the Papacy has fulfilled the predictions respecting that impure Church, still it was thought better to incur the risk of being tedious, by referring at some length to the very language of that book, rather than fail to himself how closely identical the descriptions give the reader a full opportunity to judge for given therein, when divested of their spiritual and figurative coloring, are, with the impurities which, at all times, have disgraced the Papacy." Any further actual development of the startling events and warnings quoted from Scripture would obviously create for this work but too grave an interest, especially in regard to a large portion of Southern Italy, whose terrible fate, under a frightful natural convulsion, has, according to the writer's view, been ofter emphatically foretold. On the whole, we may recommend the work for perusal as an earnest and scrupulously exact summary, free from sectarian bias. An appendix is added, stating that the writer drew up his analysis whilst residing in Sardinia, during the first half of last year. From Chambers' Journal, now, for I have given him the sheets which THE COSSACK PRINCE AND THE PARIS-are intended for the stable-servants. They IAN LADY. THE present war, unhappily, has made us all but too familiar with the aspect of the Cossack in the field and in the foray; but, happily, to most of us he is yet unknown in his social intercourse with the civilized world of Western Europe: so we are about to introduce to our readers the celebrated Platoff, hetman of the Cossacks, as he has been portrayed to us by the lively pen of a French lady, who became acquainted with him and his family during the occupation of Paris by the Allied powers in 1814. The younger Platoff had been quartered in this lady's hotel, which was one of the most elegant and sumptuous mansions in Paris. To this arrangement, she of course made no objection, and wisely resolved to bestow upon her unwelcome guest the hospitality befitting his rank and position. Madame d'Abrantes, accordingly, charged her domestics to behave with all due respect to the princely intruder, and placed her confidential valet de chambre in close attendance upon him. The domestics were, however, but little disposed to yield their services to a Russian. Day after day, complaints were made to his courtly hostess of the barbarous customs of her guest. The femme de charge came to tell her, that with such an inmate she could no longer undertake the management of the household, for that she could not stand by and see things wantonly destroyed as they were by these Russian savages. On inquiring from the faithful Blanche the cause of her discomposure, Madame d'Abrantes learned that the primitive young hetman was in the habit of going to bed in his boots, and with his spurs on into the bargain; so that each morning found the fine bed-linen of the duchess not only dusty and blackened, but also torn in shreds by these equestrian appendages. The Duchess d'Abrantes smiled at the indignation of her femme de charge, and advised her to have patience with the ungainly habits of her guest. It seemed to her as though the exhortation had been effectual, for several days passed on without any new complaint being uttered by the thrifty Blanche. At last, she inquired whether their pensionnaire had become more civilized. "No, indeed, madame," replied Blanche "but I do not fret myself so much about it ; are only too good for a savage liko him!" added she in a contemptuous tone. The valet de chambre who was placed in attendance on Platoff, marked his dislike to the Cossack in a still more original manner, and one that might have been less innocuous in its results. Young Platoff had a voracious appetite, and was very gluttonous in his tastes. His French attendants were resolved to try and cure him of his gourmandise. For this purpose, the maître d'hôtel purchased a strong emetic, and mixed some grains of it in each dish which was prepared for his table. On the morning fixed upon for this experiment, ten or twelve dishes were served up at his breakfast — the ragouts, the sweetmeats, even the wine and brandy, were strongly dosed by his relentless foes. The Cossack ate voraciously of all. As one dish after another disappeared before him, the valet looked on with inward glee. Well," thought he, "the brute will be properlypunished! " At last, breakfast was despatched; and after swallowing a large cup of café à la crême, and finishing his bottle of brandy, the hetman yawned, stretched himself two or three times, and threw himself upon his bed,. from whence his sonorous snores were soon heard to echo through the adjoining apartments. Joseph listened with surprise. He. expected quite a different result from the huge dose which had been administered. At last, he grew alarmed at the prolonged and heavyslumber of the Cossack. It occurred to him. that he might, unawares, have poisoned the stranger, and he felt not a little troubled at the thought. To his relief, however, as evening approached, Platoff suddenly started up, and inquired of the valet what o'clock it was. Joseph replied it was past five, and expressed a polite hope that the hetman was. not indisposed. 66 By no means," replied he; and then swearing out one of his accustomed oaths, declared that he was dying of hunger, and commanded that his dinner should be got ready as quickly as possible. Joseph gazed at him with a stupefied air of disappointment and surprise. "Go at once," resumed the hetman, "and desire the cook to hasten dinner as much as possible. I have not felt so hungry since the day I arrived in Paris." Joseph went down to the kitchen, looking so bewildered and crest-fallen that the maître d'hôtel and the cook both cried out at once: "Good heavens! he is not dead!" can "It is not only possible, but certain; and he will be in a fury if it is not served directly." Well, we must only give him another and a stronger dose." The attention of Madame d'Abrantes, as might be expected from a true Parisienne, was at once attracted to the extraordinary costume of her female visitor. Madame Grécoff was young, and had a pleasant physiognomy, without, however, possessing any pre"Dead, indeed!" rejoined Joseph; tensions to beauty. She was of small stature, such fellows ever die, I wonder? No, no; he of dark complexion, and bedaubed with red is crying out for his dinner as if he had not and white paint. In her dress, she betrayed tasted a morsel for the last four-and-twenty that half-barbaric taste which delights in hours! showy finery as well as in a profusion of or"His dinner!" repeated the maître d'hô-naments, placed without skill or order about tel incredulously-"his dinner, after the her person. She wore a dress of rich yellow dose we have given him? Surely that is not silk, which suited but ill with the color of ¿possible." her eyes. It was very badly made, forming a sort of domino or robe de chambre, with short sleeves, which were the more unsuitable for a morning-dress, as the weather was cold and changeable. Her arms were covered with long white gloves, over which were placed very handsome and expensive bracelets; and on each of her fingers was a ring. Even her thumb was adorned in like manner. The effect of this profusion of trinkets over a pair of gloves may be more easily conceived than described. And her head-dress- - it was of such on outlandish form that the Parisian élégante could not define to herself whether it was a cap or a bonnet; she only knew it was twice too large for the little head on which it was placed, and that in the attempt to fix it firmly there, it had been sadly mutilated and spoiled. As for her chaussure-she wore a pair of coarse silk or filoselle stockings, dyed almost blue; and large leather shoes, which showed themselves but too evidently from beneath her fine yellow dress, which was as much too short in front as it was too long behind. "No, no," replied Joseph, whose conscience misgave him for the part he had acted. "We have done wrong already in playing this trick on the Cossack without madame's knowledge; and now I will go and tell her all about it." Madame d'Abrantes could scarcely refrain from.smiling as her valet retailed to her this extraordinary experiment; but, assuming an air of gravity, she expressed her disapproval of such conduct towards a stranger dwelling beneath her roof, and desired her servants, under pain of her heavy displeasure, not to play any more tricks of the sort with Platoff. She was by no means sorry, however, when a few days later her uncouth guest took his departure, and was replaced by a far more polished personage, Monsieur Volhinski, gentleman of the bed-chamber to the Emperor .Alexander. This barbarous chaussure seemed almost a It seemed to her now as if she had done social crime to her courtly hostess, who with the Platoffs; but one day when M. Vol- dwells less complacently upon the rememhinski was paying his devoirs to his fair host-brance of Madame Grécoff than upon that of ess, he informed her that the famous Platoff, her father, the famous Platoff, who, despite and his daughter Madame Grécoff-father his uncivilized deportment, contrived to win and sister to the ogre from whom she had so recently been delivered- were very desirous to become acquainted with the widow of Napoleon's first aid-de-camp, the intrepid Junot; and at the same time he requested permission to present them to her. Madame d'Abrantes of course gave a gracious assent to his proposal; and a few days later, M. Volhinski was announced in company with his Cossack friends. the good graces of Madame d'Abrantes. This remarkable man was at that time between fifty and sixty years of age. He was tall, and of commanding aspect, had a finely formed head; and his physiognomy was devoid of that savage expression common to so many of his tribe. He wore a long robe of blue cloth, reaching nearly to his feet, and plaited closely round his waist, like a lady's dress. Around his neck was suspended a |